If you’re constantly interrupted by annoying pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads while using your phone, it’s time to take control.
Learn how to block ads on Android using the best ad blockers and hidden settings that most users don’t know about. Whether you want to speed up your device, save mobile data, or enjoy ad-free gaming and browsing, this guide reveals powerful tools and proven methods to stop ads for good.
Say goodbye to distractions and unlock a smoother Android experience—click now to discover the smartest ways to block ads on your Android phone!
Types of Ads on Android Devices
Apps & Game‘ Ads
These are commercials that show up while you are actively using a mobile application, especially games and apps that are free. They are the main means by which developers make money from their free products. They come in a variety of formats.
♦ Banner Ads
These are typically rectangular ads that appear at the top or bottom of the screen. They are usually static images, animated graphics, or short video loops. They are often present throughout your usage of the app.
Example:
A small banner ad is displayed at the bottom of a free news app while you are reading an article.
♦ Interstitial Ads
These are full-screen ads that appear at natural transition points within an app, such as when you finish a level in a game, navigate between sections of an app, or after a certain period of usage. They often include a countdown timer before you can close them.
Example: An ad for a different game that takes over the entire screen after you complete a puzzle in a free puzzle app.
♦ Video Ads
These are short video commercials that can play automatically or require you to initiate them. Sometimes, they offer a reward (like in-game currency or bonuses) for watching them completely. These are often called “rewarded video ads
Example: An option in a game to watch a 30-second video ad to earn extra coins or continue playing after a loss.
♦Notification Ads:
These ads are designed to blend seamlessly with the content of the app, making them less intrusive. They often match the look and feel of the surrounding content.
Example:
An advertisement for a product that appears within a social media feed in an app, formatted to look like a regular post.
Method 1: Using Ad Blocker Apps to Control the Wild West of In-App Ads
Popular Ad Blocker Apps (Important Considerations):
- AdGuard: A robust ad blocker that operates at the system level, blocking ads across all apps and browsers. It requires a paid subscription for full functionality, but it offers a free trial. AdGuard uses DNS filtering and can be configured with custom filter lists.
- Blockada: A free and open-source ad blocker that uses a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to filter ad traffic. It’s highly customizable and offers various filter lists. It’s also available on F-Droid, a repository for free and open-source Android software.
- AdLock: Another popular ad blocker app that blocks ads across apps and browsers. It offers a paid subscription for full features, including custom filter lists and whitelisting options.
Method 2: Using Ad Blocker Apps to Control the Wild West of In-App Ads
- Ad Blocking Extensions for Mobile Browsers:
- Firefox Mobile + uBlock Origin: Firefox Mobile is one of the few Android browsers that supports extensions, making it a powerful tool for ad blocking. uBlock Origin is a highly efficient and lightweight ad blocker extension that blocks a wide range of ads and trackers.
Brave Browser: Brave is a privacy-focused browser that comes with built-in ad blocking and tracker blocking. It also offers features like HTTPS Everywhere and script blocking.
- Other Browser Options: Some other browsers offer built-in ad blocking or support extensions, such as Kiwi Browser. Research and choose the browser that best suits your needs and preferences.
Method 3: Taking Control of Your Network: Using a Private DNS Server
A Private DNS (Domain Name System) server translates domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses (like 172.217.160.142), which computers use to communicate. By using a DNS server that blocks ad-serving domains, you can block ads at the network level, affecting all apps on your device.
- Using a Private DNS (Android 9 and above):
- Android 9 Pie introduced support for Private DNS, making it easier to use a DNS server that blocks ads.
- Steps:
- Go to your phone’s “Settings.”
- Search for “Private DNS” (you may find it under “Connection & Sharing,” “Network & Internet,” or a similar section).
- Select “Private DNS provider hostname.”
- Enter the hostname of a DNS server that blocks ads. Some popular options include:
- Go to your phone’s “Settings.”
- Steps:
- Android 9 Pie introduced support for Private DNS, making it easier to use a DNS server that blocks ads.
Conclusion
There are a number of ways to block advertisements on Android, ranging from adjusting browser settings to utilizing specialized apps or VPNs. For casual users, changing to Brave or modifying Chrome settings is sufficient.
Tech-savvy users may like rooted solutions like AdAway or Private DNS. Your Android experience will be quicker, cleaner, and more private regardless of the method you select. Try out these settings to see which suits your device and browsing preferences the best.